Southern California -- this just in

Dozens arrested during Lakers' victory celebration

June 18, 2010 | 12:15
pm

At least 42 people were arrested and 43 detained during a raucous celebration outside Staples Center after the Laker's NBA Finals victory Thursday night, authorities said.

The arrests included 11 people for alleged public drunkenness, three on suspicion of inciting a riot, seven on charges of assault on a peace officer, four on charges of disturbing the peace and one for alleged battery, police said. Six others were arrested for alleged vandalism, two for allegedly throwing objects at a vehicle, two on suspicion of resisting arrest and three for outstanding warrants.

Despite a massive police presence, the scene outside Staples Center after the Lakers 83-79 victory over the Boston Celtics became unruly, with some in the crowd hurling bottles and other objects at police, breaking windows of businesses and setting dumpsters and vehicles on fire along Figueroa Street. Police fired non-lethal rounds to disperse the crowd.

Robert Reitz, office manager of Ready Productions Inc., a printing company at the corner of 12th and Olive streets, said six windows of his store were broken, including one with a traffic cone stuffed into it. He said he discovered the vandalism when he arrived at work at 7:30 a.m. Friday.

“The Lakers cost the city more than they’re worth,” said Reitz, who had not done an estimate of the damage. “I was kind of hoping the other team would win so this wouldn’t happen.”